When the English and Australians meet, the topic that trumps all others is the cricket. So it was when Scott Morrison joined British counterpart Boris Johnson on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France. The prime minister congratulated Mr Johnson on England's nail-biting win in the third Ashes Test before moving to meatier matters like trade and the joint military mission in waters south of Iran. "Well, we've got two to go. We're not taking anything for granted ... It was a hell of a game," Mr Johnson said. Their 40-minute meeting came at the start of the second and final day of the G7 leaders' summit in the fancy seaside town of Biarritz. Mr Morrison took part in two of the formal G7 sessions on Monday and also seized the chance over the two days to meet with several world leaders. He explained Australia's decision last week to contribute troops, a surveillance plane and a Navy frigate to the US-led effort to protect shipping lanes from Iran, during meetings with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Neither was concerned about the plan, Mr Morrison said. "(They had) a great respect for the way that Australia thinks through these issues and is very clear about how we pursue our national interests and do so in a way which is very, very well-targeted," he told reporters. He says Australia has been very clear its decision has nothing to do with the Iran nuclear deal, which the US has pulled out of. "It isn't about that; it's about simply ensuring there can be free passage of shipping through that important area of the world, which directly impacts on Australia's petroleum flows." Mr Morrison also spoke about Australia's contribution with US President Donald Trump and again with Mr Johnson. "UK-Australia, you guys are going to be joining the maritime operations," Mr Johnson said to him at the start of the talks. "Yeah, absolutely. I met with the United States yesterday. That's all come together, we've got a lot to do," Mr Morrison replied. Later, the prime minister said Britain was "very appreciative" of Australia's participation. "Our involvement lines up with the UK's involvement," he told AAP. "It's based on a point of principle and we respect it." Mr Morrison has also reiterated to Mr Trump Australia's concerns about the impact the US-China trade dispute is having on the global economy. Mr Trump announced a further escalation of tariffs just ahead of travelling to France. But on Monday, he told reporters China was ready to return to the table and there had been high-level discussions "last night" over a series of phone calls - although China disputes this. Mr Morrison said both sides had raised legitimate grievances about the other. "But equally, you can't just sort of brush these issues aside forever, they have to be dealt with." One trade deal Australia has in the works is one that can't formally start yet: a post-Brexit agreement with the UK, which was discussed with Mr Johnson. A Downing Street spokesman said there was joint enthusiasm for an "enhanced and deep trading relationship" after the UK leaves the European Union, which is slated for the end of October. Mr Morrison said Australia was keen to conclude a deal that's in the nation's best interests. "There is a lot of low hanging fruit we can move very quickly on," he told AAP. "I was encouraged by the prime minister's confidence in being able to work through the Brexit process; when they do we will be there." Australian Associated Press

Trade, Iran dominate Morrison's G7 talks

Scott Morrison has been meeting world leaders including Britain's Boris Johnson, gathered at the G7.

When the English and Australians meet, the topic that trumps all others is the cricket.

So it was when Scott Morrison joined British counterpart Boris Johnson on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France.

The prime minister congratulated Mr Johnson on England's nail-biting win in the third Ashes Test before moving to meatier matters like trade and the joint military mission in waters south of Iran.

"Well, we've got two to go. We're not taking anything for granted ... It was a hell of a game," Mr Johnson said.

Their 40-minute meeting came at the start of the second and final day of the G7 leaders' summit in the fancy seaside town of Biarritz.

Mr Morrison took part in two of the formal G7 sessions on Monday and also seized the chance over the two days to meet with several world leaders.

He explained Australia's decision last week to contribute troops, a surveillance plane and a Navy frigate to the US-led effort to protect shipping lanes from Iran, during meetings with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Neither was concerned about the plan, Mr Morrison said.

"(They had) a great respect for the way that Australia thinks through these issues and is very clear about how we pursue our national interests and do so in a way which is very, very well-targeted," he told reporters.

He says Australia has been very clear its decision has nothing to do with the Iran nuclear deal, which the US has pulled out of.

"It isn't about that; it's about simply ensuring there can be free passage of shipping through that important area of the world, which directly impacts on Australia's petroleum flows."

Mr Morrison also spoke about Australia's contribution with US President Donald Trump and again with Mr Johnson.

"UK-Australia, you guys are going to be joining the maritime operations," Mr Johnson said to him at the start of the talks.

"Yeah, absolutely. I met with the United States yesterday. That's all come together, we've got a lot to do," Mr Morrison replied.

Later, the prime minister said Britain was "very appreciative" of Australia's participation.

"Our involvement lines up with the UK's involvement," he told AAP.

"It's based on a point of principle and we respect it."

Mr Morrison has also reiterated to Mr Trump Australia's concerns about the impact the US-China trade dispute is having on the global economy.

Mr Trump announced a further escalation of tariffs just ahead of travelling to France.

But on Monday, he told reporters China was ready to return to the table and there had been high-level discussions "last night" over a series of phone calls - although China disputes this.

Mr Morrison said both sides had raised legitimate grievances about the other.

"But equally, you can't just sort of brush these issues aside forever, they have to be dealt with."

One trade deal Australia has in the works is one that can't formally start yet: a post-Brexit agreement with the UK, which was discussed with Mr Johnson.

A Downing Street spokesman said there was joint enthusiasm for an "enhanced and deep trading relationship" after the UK leaves the European Union, which is slated for the end of October.

Mr Morrison said Australia was keen to conclude a deal that's in the nation's best interests.

"There is a lot of low hanging fruit we can move very quickly on," he told AAP.

"I was encouraged by the prime minister's confidence in being able to work through the Brexit process; when they do we will be there."